As a young lawyer/lobbyist, I learned networking skills the old-fashioned way, attending endless cocktail parties and other events, and meeting folks by pressing the flesh. Now, as a career coach, I’m working to become more adept at Digital Age networking through social media. As part of my self-education, I just finished Chuck Sambuchino’s fascinating book, Create Your Writer Platform.

Sambuchino says the fundamental concept of building a platform is: “It is in giving that we receive.” In other words, to get people to follow you, trust you and maybe buy your books, you must first get readers to like you. “And the way you get readers to like you is by legitimately helping them.”

I think Sambuchino’s book is terrific; it’s informative and fun to read. And I generally agree with his concept. People do like it when you answer their questions, share critical information and give them stuff for free. In all kinds of networking – not just social media -- a tried and true approach for striking up relationships is to offer help.

But sometimes it doesn’t work, like when you are at an event trying to connect with a recently elected official who is already overwhelmed by similar offers of assistance and good advice. Sometimes a different approach might be more effective.

Sometimes the best way to get people to like you is to ask them for small, easy-to-manage favors.

When I was a young Washington lawyer, I identified with the recent graduates trying to find a career foothold in the nation’s Capitol. Whenever possible I tried to help a little. Perhaps I’d mention people to contact or suggest ways to improve a resume. I might even throw a few hours of research or clerical work their way, to help keep them going.

Eventually I noticed that, whenever I was able to offer a little help, I remained interested in that person’s progress. I enjoyed hearing when they finally found jobs, and I continued to follow them as they made their way further into the city’s inner circles.

Later, I joined Consolidated Natural Gas Company, as the head of public affairs and policy. Although a leading energy company, CNG had long maintained a low profile. But now it wanted to be a player in the legislative battle to make it easier to build small, on-site power plants. The first challenge for my team was to quickly make friends for the company in dozens of congressional offices representing districts where CNG had properties.

As we considered ways we to get congressional staffers to know our name and maybe even like us, I recalled all those young people who had passed through my office. I reflected upon how I continued to think fondly about the ones I’d been able to help.

So to start many relationships quickly, our plan was to come up with small, easily granted requests for staffers in the various offices. Perhaps we’d ask to have the member of congress serve on the honorary committee for a charitable activity, or maybe we would seek a letter of support for a noncontroversial project. The approach worked. By making carefully crafted requests, we soon developed a network of friendly congressional staffers who were familiar with the company and willing to answer our calls.

Here are four reasons why asking for easy-to-give help makes people remember and even like you:

People enjoy helping. Don’t underestimate how good it feels to help somebody. Most people do want to be helpful, but they may be overwhelmed by numerous requests that are too vague, burdensome or time-consuming. Many will be eager to say “yes” to a request that they can grant quickly and easily. At a social event, your request could be as simple as asking for a restaurant recommendation in another guest’s hometown.

A request requires focus. Even a very easy request requires the recipient to pause briefly and think about you for a moment. In that instance, a connection is made between the two of you, and it’s more likely to last than the recollection of a brief conversation.

Help leads to “thank you.” Most people enjoy being thanked and they tend to pay attention when receiving words of appreciation. They may forget what they did for you, but they’ll retain a positive feeling because your “thank you” made them feel good.

We continue to support our investments. Whether it’s a person, a business or a cause, we tend to identify and remain interested where we’ve made even a small contribution. Think about it. Don’t you have especially warm feelings for folks you’ve helped along the way?

I don’t claim that this technique always works, but I can report excellent results from my coaching clients who have tried it out in the process of building up their professional networks.

And I’m not sure how my “small request” concept applies in the context of social media – can anybody give me some advice?